8 year old died: from flesh-eating bacteria

Liam loved to wear camo, he was an animal lover and love to feed the animals on his family’s farm.

Liam rode down a hill as he wrecked his bike to his family’s Spring Creek property. At that time an emergency room doctor stitched him up. The incident was fading from memory as just another weakness showed up in the life of this young and active boy.

From the wound from the soil, a flesh-eating bacteria entered. The bacteria attacked the boy’s soft tissue. Later on, he had to undergo four surgeries to remove infected tissue.

Sara Hebard and Scott Hinkle, Liam’s mom and stepfather realized something was wrong on Wednesday when Liam complained of intense pain in his groin area. After that Scott took a look and reacted with alarm at what he saw.

He said it was purplish-red and gangrenous-looking and they threw Liam in in the rig and went.

Liam and his mother flew by air ambulance to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland to remove infected tissue, after surgery at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton.

The rare but deadly infection, known as necrotizing fasciitis they basically cut him up piece by piece.

Sara said that almost his whole right side was gone, the infection kept cutting and hoping.

So that another team could take a look at the problem, Liam was transferred to Randall Children’s Hospital on Sunday. But that night, Liam died.

Sara is still processing. Sara said that Liam told his friends that it’s just going to be a couple of days and he will be coming home. He was so strong and so brave.

On Friday, Scott spoke to Liam for the last time by phone.

Sara and Scott said that he was a bright ray of sunshine, he loved everyone and everyone loved him.

Scott said we don’t want any other parents to go through this.

To help the family with medical and funeral expenses the community is raising funds through gofundme donation campaigns.

About the author

Dr. Michael Oliver

He is a medical practitioner in Atlanta Georgia. He writes columns for the State Herald. He also holds a diploma in psychology from the University of Nevada. He also has an upcoming book on the same subject. While not writing or treating people he runs free clinic throughout the state.